The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-11-02

Jacks heart sank lower; she evidently
did not miss him, nor even expect him,
though he had promised to come, and
had been looking forward to the visit all
the week. He had also been making up
his mind what he would say to Agnes on
that particular occasion; but now, though
the place and time was most propitious,
there was something in her face that dis.
couraged him; she looked so calm and
sweet and unconscious of her own beauty
she was so tender-hearted, that Jack -
tender-hearted, too, and supremely unself-
iish-found himself wondering how he
could dare to trouble her, or disturb
the perfect, even calm of her
life. If she accepted him it,
would be break, and something of a
wrench, for Agnes was devotedly at
tached to her father. If she refused him,
he could not help feeling, even in the
midst of his own uncertainty, that it
would give her pain, and upset all their
pleasant intimacy, and yet Jack felt that
he must know his fate-"put it to the
touch without any further delay.
You were expecting me, Agnes 2" he
said, throwing himself on the moss at her
feet; and there was so much earnestness
and entreaty in his voice that Agnes
looked at him attentively. "You knew
| would come to-day 2"
81 don't know that thought much
about it, Jack; you often do come on a
Saturday I"
81 promised to bring you some
books"
"And you generally keep your prom
ises, like a good boy. What have you
brought me to-day Z"
81 don't know-never mind; want
to talk to you-Agnes-I have something
very particular to say to you-but l don't
know how to begin"
Don't begin, then, she interrupted
with swift divination of his meaning.
Don't, Jack, " and she laid her hand
caressingly on his arm. "We have been
such friends always /"
Cant we be anything more, Agnesp
he said, taking her hand "You know
that love you-have loved you and will
love you always. Friends we must al
ways be. But can't you say one word
love you sol"
at is impossible! Oil dear Jack, l
am so sorry. l never thought of this"
"And l have never thought of any
thing else Jack replied, with a little
smile. 81 know you are too good and
kind to send me away hopeless if there
were any hope"
"There is none, Jack"
"Then can only pray for your happi-
ness, Agnes and say goodbye
ooh! that need not be, surely. You
will soon forget this" Agnes replied.
"And," she added, with sudden blush,
that gave the last charm to her sweet,
thoughtful face-''and, Jack, think |
shall be happy"
"Thank Heaven for that" he said,
earnestly. at is the dearest, the ohly
wish of my heart All l see-that is, /
think l understand" and his lips trem-
bled. IF am right, there is indeed no
hope; it only remains for me once more
to pray more fervently than ever,
Heaven bless and keep you always, and
say good bye in real earnest"
"Oh not that, Jack surely not that !!
You are my oldest friend-my cousin
almost my brother"
"Were your very brother, Philip
Wynne would brook no rival in your
Affection Jack said, with strange
hardness in his voice. ~ must go, dear.
1t is best"
BEST for you, and best for me- But
you will come back some day when you
have learned to forget" Agnes said,
gently.
''lf never come back till then, I'll
never come back at all ~ Jack cried,
dashing away tear with the back of
his hand. He was very boyish, despite
his manly heart. "But if ever / hear or
think you want me, will come without
a moments delay, even if it be from the
very uttermost ends of the earthl"
And without another word Jack
turned away; for in truth he could not
trust his voice any further. He longed
to be alone; alone with his sorrow, his
awful sense of loneliness; alone to look
at his trouble; try to realize the magni-
fudge of it, and consider whether he
could fight it out manfully, with any
chance of getting the better of it.
poor Jack !" Agnes murmured, as she
him disappear with tear dimmed
eyes. 'Poor, faithful, kind hearted
boy. lnever dreamed of such an end to
our friendship. And yet, if l had not
been so selfishly wrapped up in my own
happiness | might have seen, | might
have known. But he is only boy; he
will soon forget"
But even as she uttered the words,
told her that, boy though he
was Jack Hardy would not forget.
For long time after he left Agnes sat
IN the mossy bank, thinking deeply. 1t
lad been trying day for her, and the
ieep, solemn silence and the fading light
we're soothing to her Over-strung nerves.
Only short hour before Jack found her
n the wood, Philip " ynne had asked
ler TO be his wife, and after deep and
painful consideration she consented; but
I was hard task to make up her mind,
hough the temptation was threefold.
She loved him, she believed he loved her,
md he had persuaded her, not alto /
sether against her will, that he needed
ler; that she had led him into better
Ways, and that, to help him and strength |
N him in the right path, he must have
Ter. If she failed him, he would become
gain the restless, aimless wanderer
le had been, or perhaps drift into some
hing worse. So-Teluctantly, because .
he thought of leaving her father was
errible; yet gladly, because she thought
he had gained an influence over his |
Wild, unsettled life, that she had the .
,ower to keep him out of temptation
he consented.
or Philip Wynne's early life Agnes
new nothing. He had been away from
Iome ever since boyhood, and the old
ianOr had baen shut nm In his fatbari.,